Le Meridien Cambridge Opens in Suburban Boston Today - Marks Return of the Luxury Hotel Brand to the New England Market
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Le Meridien Cambridge Opens in Suburban Boston Today - Marks Return of the Luxury Hotel Brand to the New England Market
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Category: North America & West Indies / Carribean islands
This is a press release selected by our editorial committee and published online for free on 2007-12-06
Hotel Converted from Former Hotel@MIT
The Le Meridien Cambridge
hotel opened here today marking the return of the luxury hotel brand to
both the Boston area market and New England for the first time in several
years. The 210-room Hotel@MIT hotel was acquired today by HEI Hotels &
Resorts and immediately converted to the new brand. The hotel will undergo
a $7.3 million renovation next year to further enhance the guest
experience.
The Le Meridien brand, recently acquired by Starwood Hotels & Resorts
Worldwide, is aggressively expanding throughout the U.S.
"The distinctive, one-of-a-kind character of the hotel, with its
high-tech charm and sophisticated service, makes it an ideal fit for the Le
Meridien brand," said Steve Mendell, HEI's executive vice president -
acquisitions and development. "We expect the transition to the luxury Le
Meridien brand to create a better guest experience, especially as the brand
grants guest access to Starwood's lucrative Starwood Preferred Guest
program. Already highly regarded in Europe, Le Meridien has more than 200
hotels worldwide. We believe upscale international travelers to New England
will immediately gravitate to the Le Meridien Cambridge and that it will
quickly become the preferred luxury hotel in the region."
The Le Meridien Cambridge is situated in the heart of University Park
at MIT, a premier, award-winning office, high-tech and biomedical complex,
within a short walk of Harvard Square. The property features 210 rooms,
including 14 suites, 7,700 square feet of state-of-the-art meeting space, a
full-service restaurant, a terrace garden for outdoor functions and a
fitness center. The property is known for a distinctive guest experience,
highlighted by the presence of MIT Artificial Intelligence Lab robots
stationed throughout the lobby and a reputation for sophisticated service.
"As a global destination market, we are delighted to reintroduce the
international Le Meridien brand back to the Boston area after a
several-year 'vacation'," said General Manager Ryan O'Heir. "While most of
the operations team will remain the same, we will be better equipped and
supported to create a more unique guest experience and unparalleled
service. Our upcoming renovation will be a tremendous benefit to the hotel
and community."
The Le Meridien Cambridge will undergo a complete $7-plus million
renovation designed to retain the uniqueness and locational experience of
the property. The renovation will include upgrading all guestrooms and the
lobby, adding Le Meridien signature touches. A new, gourmet restaurant
concept is being developed and the current library will be converted to
multi-function space. The hotel will remain open throughout the renovation,
which will be segmented and completed in phases to minimize guest
disruption. Completion is scheduled for early 2009.
"This renovation will ensure our position as the top hotel in the
market," O'Heir said. "We look forward to welcoming back our previous
guests and to attracting new ones to the Le Meridien Cambridge experience."
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